Asana meets Dharma in Nepal

Yoga
and Buddhism share many historical and cultural roots, with practices often
intertwining around concepts of mindfulness, kindness to others, meditation,
and the realization of the Self. Despite this, contemporary yoga
practice—especially as it is taught in the West—rarely draws on the hugely
insightful but often difficult to penetrate world of Tibetan Buddhism.

The
Neydo Tashi Choeling monastery is located in Pharping, Nepal, nestled in the
foothills of the Himalayas outside of Kathmandu Valley. Pharping is a small
traditional town rarely visited by Western tourists yet is one of the most
sacred sites in Tibetan Buddhism. It was here in a cave in the 9th century that the mystic and “second Buddha” Padmasambhava Rinpoche
eventually attained enlightenment. From here, he journeyed to Tibet where he
founded Tibetan Buddhism. Today some 200 monks live in the monastery,
pursuing a traditional life of study and reflection that has changed little in
a thousand years.

Pharping
is considered among Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners to be as important as the
Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, and its profound spiritual energy creates an
extraordinary context for a transformative immersion into yoga.

For the first time ever, a yoga teacher training will take place at this Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. The training, offered by Mahalaya Retreats, begins March 8, 2015 at Neydo Monastery.

The course will be taught by top international teachers Heather Elton, Emil Wendel and anatomist Andrew McGonigle, with special teachings from Rinpoche Pema Nangdrol, and invites students to live within a Tibetan monastery complex, with daily practice and study in the temple overlooking the rice paddies of the Kathmandu Valley—dwarfed by the awesome Himalayas and under the inspiring presence of Neydo’s 36-foot Buddha.

The
opportunity came about through Mahalaya founder Sam Voolstra’s experience
organizing short yoga retreats at Neydo over the last three years, during which
she developed a deep relationship with the monks and Rinpoche Pema Nangdrol.

“Yogic
and Buddhist philosophy really has so much overlap,” said Voolstra. “They’re
sometimes different words but they share a common goal of liberation from the
mind.”

The
abbot of the monastery, Rinpoche Pema Nangdrol, will share perspectives on
Buddhist history and philosophy through several teachings during the course.
“It is the function of the monastery to spread the Dharma to as many interested
people as possible,” said Rinpoche. “This welcome relationship is a chance to
share the teachings of the Buddha with people from many different countries.”

Voolstra
added that the collaboration also financially supports the monastery.
Traditionally reliant on generosity from the sangha (community), contemporary Tibetan Buddhist monasteries often find it
difficult to depend only on donations. Through the teacher training course,
income from students staying in the modern and comfortable monastery guesthouse
and using its facilities will directly help to fund the monastery’s food and
energy costs.

Certified
by Yoga Alliance, this Vinyasa/Hatha 200-hour TTC will offer the highest levels
of training in teaching, philosophy, anatomy and deep personal practice, and is
a unique opportunity to study in the Kathmandu Valley where students will also
visit some of Nepal’s most sacred temples, stupas and sites. The course takes
place from March 8-April 2, 2015.